Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) belongs to a class of semi-crystalline and high-performance thermoplastic specialty polymers, known for their significant role in the production of advanced and composite materials for use in multiple industrial and consumer applications. Specialty polymers demonstrate numerous strengths, such as low water absorption, excellent dielectric properties, enhanced fracture toughness, good thermal and chemical resistance, and ease of processing, to name only a few. In 2023, the market value of specialty polymers exceeded USD 81 billion.
Unsurprisingly, the advanced features of specialty polymers safeguard the versatility of their application. It includes the following sectors: automobile (e.g. especially for electric and hybrid vehicles), batteries (e.g. new battery materials), healthcare (e.g. biomaterials in orthopaedics), construction (e.g. heat-resistant polymers for heating systems), electrical and electronics (e.g. for use in semiconductors), household goods, and environment (e.g. specialty polymers to protect from hostile environment impacts). Specialty polymers have been in use in the most demanding and high-tech applications, for example, in the aerospace and e-mobility industries. These industries use PEEK for metal replacement to achieve multiple benefits (e.g. cost reduction, smaller weight, better fuel efficiency, etc). To illustrate the point, one can mention the KetaSpire and Ajedium PEEK product lines manufactured by Syensqo (a spin-off company of Solvay in the sector of advanced materials). KetaSpire PEEK has excellent prospects for application in the aerospace industry (especially in view of the interest in KetaSpire PEEK demonstrated by the Boeing Company), while Ajedium PEEK can be used to insulate e-motor magnet wires.
Apart from functional performance benefits, PEEK may act as a potential alternative to per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS), which are associated with various health and environmental hazards. This has been confirmed by Victrex (an ICI’s spin-off). Syensqo and Victrex are the world leaders in polyether ether ketone. For Syensqo or Victrex, PEEK, together with polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and electro-active polymers (EAP), is the pinnacle of a broad portfolio of specialty polymers, surpassing commodity and mid-range engineering polymers with respect to performance.
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and its place among other polymers
According to Syensqo, in Q1-3 2024, the specialty polymer market was characterised by macroeconomic uncertainly, lower pricing, and reduced sales volumes, driven by flat demand across various end-markets, which resulted in a weaker year-on-year financial performance during the first 9 months of 2024 (it is estimated that financial performance in the Syensqo specialty polymers segment in 2024 will be also weaker as compared to 2023). The financial performance was also exacerbated by the fact that all Solvay’s environmental liabilities related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS-related remediation liabilities) were placed with Syensqo.
Find a detailed analysis of the polyether ether ketone (PEEK) market in the in-demand research report “Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) 2024 Global Market Review and Forecast to 2033”.